Combination oil well tool



06L 1954 J. A. MOOSMAN COMBINATION on. WELL TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 27, 1953 INVENTOR. Jazz 4, Moos/141v Him?! Ii g Oct. 5, 1954 J. A. MOOSMAN COMBINATION OIL WELL TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27. 1953 irrai/vinf Patented Oct. 5, 1954 U ETED STA ATENT OFFICE COMBHNATION OIL VJELL TOOL ration of Delaware Application April 2'7, 1953, Serial No. 351,399

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to an oil well formation testing tool.

In making a test of a formation where the connate fluid is under high pressure, it is desirable to progressively open the tool to the upward flow of fluid therethrough so as to prevent damage to the tool which might be caused by high velocity fluid jetting uncontrolled through the tool. Also, after the test is made and the sample collected, it is frequently desirable to be able to make a shut-in test, that is to take the pressure of the fluid in the formation with the bore above the formation completely closed off by the tool. This is conventionally accomplished by closing off upward flow of fluid through the tool, the tool being provided with a packer of some type for sealing engagement with walls of the well bore or casing within which the tool is lowered. Furthermore, frequently it is desirable to reversely circulate drilling mud or other liquid down the well around the exterior of the string of pipe supporting the tool and then into the tool and upwardly through the tool for the purpose of bringing connate fluid to the surface, and also for various other purposes.

It is a main object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive tool by which the three operations above described may be readily carried out.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a tool by which the abovenamed operations may be carried out in the sequence above enumerated, and by merely rotating the string of pipe supporting the tool to effect such a sequence of operations.

Various other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental elevational view illustrating portions of a tool embodying the present invention, the parts being shown in the runningin relationship.

Figs, 2, 3, i and 5 are fragmental mid-sectional views of portions of the tool, the parts being shown in the different relationships by which the operation is varied.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, there is disclosed a tool embodying the concepts of the present invention, includin an upper mandrel S provided with a sub l: at its upper end for connection to a string of pipe, fragmentarily shown at E3, by which the tool may be run into or out of a Well bore and by which rotation of mandrel 9 may be effected. Slidably receiving upper mandrel 9 is a tubular housing I5, said housing having its central bore enlarged at H, within which there is slidably received the lower enlarged end is of said mandrel. Although housing I 5 is shown as one integral unit, it is contemplated that the same may be composite in construction and therefore, comprises a. plurality of parts suitably threaded or otherwise connected together. The axial length of portion IQ of mandrel 9 is less than that of enlarged bore portions l1, so that the lower end of enlarged portion is is spaced above the end wall defining the lower end of enlarged bore portion l1.

Supported by the upper end of housing is a thrust bearing 2|. Bearing against the thrust bearing is a strong compression spring 23 engaging at its upper end an adjustment nut 25 threaded on the lower end of sub H. Spring 23 urges housing !5 downwardly against portion is and functions to releasably hold mandrel 9 in engagement with a key and keyway type locking device 21 formed on the housing and mandrel. This locking device functions to releasably retain the mandrel and housing against relative rotation. When mandrel 9 is lowered relative to the housing from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, locking device 21 releases the mandrel for rotation relative to the housing.

Limiting downward movement of mandrel 9 relative to the housing is a stop sleeve 3? surrounding mandrel-Q and being surrounded by spring 23. Sleeve 3'; is connected to and carried by 'nut 25, and hence adjustment of the nut functions to vary the maximum downward travel of mandrel 9 relative to said housing.

A sealing means is provided at 39 on the housing and engages the exterior of mandrel ii to prevent escape of fluid upwardly between the housing and mandrel.

Also slidably received by housing 15 is a second tubular mandrel ii, the upper end of which is received within an undercut bore 33 formed within lower enlarged portion IS of mandrel 8, said bore being defined at its lower end by lips Q5. Tubular mandrel l! slidably engages lips .5 and has an enlarged upper end 41 provided with threads engaging complementary threads formed on the walls of bore 43. Lips 45 carry sealing means 49 and El, which sealingly engage mandrel M and the walls of bore H, respectively.

Reverse circulating ports 53 are formed in the walls of lower mandrel 4| and are initially disposed as shown in Fig. 2 well above sealing means 49. Housing I is also provided with reverse circulating ports 55 communicating with the unoccupied lower portion of bore I1 and adapted to communicate with reverse circulating ports 53 of mandrel 4i when mandrel 9 has been rotated an extent to move ports 53 into registry with ports 55, i. e., in communication with the lower unoccupied part of bore H.

The central bore of housing I5 is also enlarged at a place below and spaced from enlarged bore portion I! to provide a recess or cavity BI surrounding mandrel ll. The thickened portion or rib entitled 63 of housing I5 disposed between and effectively separating bore I! and recess BI slidably engages mandrel 4i and is provided with sealing means 65 sealingly engaging the exterior of said mandrel.

Below sealing means 65 there is formed in mandrel 4| a series of flow bean ports 67, 69 and II decreasing in size from top to bottom. Lower flow bean ports II are initially disposed within recess 6|, while flow bean ports 69 and 61 are covered by rib 63 of housing I5. Appropriate sealing means are provided at 13 and 15 on mandrel 4| to seal off ports 61 from ports 69, and ports 69 from recess GI, respectively.

Formed in mandrel II below the flow bean ports are connate fluid ports 11 exposed in recess 6| and hence disposed in communication with flow bean ports II. Between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports is disposed a downwardly opening spring-biased check valve T9 for preventing upward flow of fluid through mandrel II in the region thereof between ports 11 and II.

Housing I5 is provided with packing 8| sealingly engaging mandrel 4| at a place spaced below connate fluid ports 11. At its lower end, mandrel 4| is provided with keys 83 slidably engaging keyways 85 formed within the central bore of housing I5. The keys and keyways allow sliding, but prevent rotary movement between mandrel 4! and housing I5. Keyways 85 terminate at a counterbore 81. When mandrel 4| has been lowered to an extent to dispose keys 83 totally within counterbore 81, relative rotary movement between mandrel 4| and housing I5 is permitted.

It is frequent practice to at least partially fill the tool and string of pipe with a fluid when the tool is run into the well bore to prevent collapse of the tool against the force of outside pressure. Enlarged portion I9 of upper mandrel 9 is provided with ports 89 communicating the exterior of said enlarged portion with the interior thereof to permit the fluid pressure within the tool to be effective upwardly on the housing shoulder at locking device 21 and downwardly on the adjacent shoulder on upper mandrel 9 to help counterbalance the force caused by fluid pressure effective between mandrel 9 and mandrel 4 I.

As is apparent from Figs. 2 through 5 the spacing of reverse circulating ports 53 from the lower unoccupied portion of bore I! is greater than the spacing of connate fluid ports 11 from packing 8|. and that the spacing of flow bean ports 61 from recess 6| is less than the spacing of connate fluid ports 11 from packing 8|.

The operation of the tool is as follows. When running into the well, strong compression spring 23 maintains the tool in locked position until after a packer 9|, provided on the lower end of the tool, has been set in the well or in the casing within which the tool is lowered. Various valves, such as equalizing valves and retaining valves are normally provided in the portion of the tool below housing I5, but a description of these elements is not essential to an understanding of the present invention. In fact, the tool of the present invention may be utilized in installations not including such elements.

After packer SI has been set, string i3 is further lowered to compress strong compression string 23 to release mandrel 9 for rotation relative to housing I5. Sleeve 1 functions to prevent enlarged portion IE1 of mandrel I3 from closing reverse circulating ports by limiting downward movement of mandrel 9 relative to housing I5. Upon rotation of string I3 ports 69 and then El are brought into registry with recess SI to allow an increased flow of fluid upwardly through mandrel 4|, out through ports H and in through ports H, 59 and 6?, and upwardly through the tool, as shown in Fig. 3.

After a sample has been taken, string I3 can be further rotated to bring ports '5'! with n the confines of packing unit 8| and hence close ports Ti and trap the sample disposed within the tool below ports I! and check valve l9 within the tool. At this time, reverse circulating ports 53 are still disposed above sealing means 49, as shown in Fig. l.

A shut-in test is now made, a suitable pressure recording device such as 93 being provided on the lower end of the tool for such purpose. The tool is now run out of the well, if desired, or if reverse circulation through the tool is desired, string I3 can be further rotated to bring reverse circu lating ports 53 into registry with reverse circulating ports 55, whereupon drilling mud or other liquid can be forced downwardly in the well bore along the exterior of string I3 and the tool of the present invention and thence inwardly through ports 55 and 53, and then upwardly through the tool for the purpose of bringing the sample above check valve 19 to the surface, or for any other purpose. lhis positioning is shown in Fig. 5.

As a safety feature, it is pointed out that keys 83 will be moved downwardly into counterbore 81, as ports 53 are brought into registry with ports 55, therefore, releasing mandrel M for rotary movement relative to housing I5. Consequently further rotation of the string I3 functions to merely rotate the mandrels in unison and relative to housing I5, and thus injury to the mandrels is avoided.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore by a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at different but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, said lower mandrel, between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, being closed to the upward flow of fluid therethrough, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and wi hin which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having reverse circulating ports formed the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports the mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate ports above the place of sealing engagement of said housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in t e lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports, when such ports are brought with the reverse circulating ports means slidably but non-rotatably the lower mandrel and the housing, y when the housing is held against rotasaid upper mandrel is rotated, the covrts will be progressively exposed e recess hence progressively brought nication with the connate fluid ports a l creased upward flow of connate fluid thro' ir h andrels, and subsequently said connate flu d ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

2. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel cperatively threadedly connected together and to be lowered into a well bore by a string or" pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reerse circ lating ports, at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at different but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, said lower mandrel, between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, being closed to the upward flow of fluid therethrough, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are expose-cl. and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engagin the lower mandrel at a place below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having reverse circulating ports formed in the walls thereof initially below the reverse circulating ports in the mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealin engagement of said housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports, when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel and the housing, spring means urging the housing downwardly relative to the mandrels, whereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports, and subsequently said connate fluid ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

3. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore by a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at diiierent cut adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein. said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, said lower mandrel, between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, being closed to the upward flow of fluid therethrough, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing scalingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having reverse circulating ports formed in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of said housing below said connate fluid ports, means, closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports, when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel and the housing, spring means urging the housing downwardly relative to the mandrels, and means locking the upper mandrel against rotation relative to the housing, and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, re1easable upon downward movement of the upper mam drel relative to said housing to permit rotation of said upper mandrel relative to the housing and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, whereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upward flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently said connate fluid ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

4. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore by a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, and at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at different but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, a downwardly opening check valve in the lower mandrel between the fluid flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having ports in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of the housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports of the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel to the housing, whereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upward flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently said connate fluid ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

5. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore by a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, and at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at difierent but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, a downwardly opening check valve in the lower mandrel between the fluid flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having ports in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of the housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports of the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel to the housing, spring means urging the housing downwardly relative to the mandrels, and means locking the upper mandrel against rotation relative to the housing, and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, releasable upon downward movement of the upper mandrel relative to said housing to permit rotation of said upper mandrel relative to the housing and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, whereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upward flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently said connate fluid ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

6. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore by a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at different but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said fiow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, said lower mandrel, between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, being closed to the upward flow of fluid therethrough, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having reverse circulating ports formed in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of said housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports, when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel and the housing, being releasable after the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel have been brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, hereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upper flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently said connate fluid ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought 9 I. into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

7. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adaptedto be lowered into a well bore by a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at different but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, said lower mandrel, between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, being closed to the upward flow of fluid therethrough, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having reverse circulating ports formed in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of said housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports, when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel and the housing, being releasable after the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel have been brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, spring means urging the housing downwardly relative to the mandrels, and means locking the upper mandrel against rotation relative to the housing, and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, releasable upon downward movement of the upper mandrel relative to said housing to permit rotation of said upper mandrel relative to the housing and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, whereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upward flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently connate fluid ports will be closed, still subsequently the reverse circulating port in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with reverse circulating ports in the housing.

A tool of the class described, comprising an 131331 tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel cperatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having v formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, and at a lower le el one or more connate fluid ports, and besen the reverse circulating ports and the con nate fluid ports at different but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost} to the uppermost, a downwardly opening check valve in the lower mandrel between the fluid flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having ports in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel a distance exceeding tr e spacing oi the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of the housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports of the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel to the housing, being releasable after reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel have been brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, spring means urging the housing downwardly relative to the mandrels, and means locking the upper mandrel against rotation relative to the housing, and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, releasable upon downward movement of the upper mandrel relative to said housing to permit rota- 7 tion of said upper mandrel relative to the housing and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, whereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upward flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently said connate fluid ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

9. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore by a spring of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at different but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, said lower mandrel, between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, being closed to the upward flow of fluid therethrough, a tubular housing carried by the slidably receiving mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having reverse circulating ports formed in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of said housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports, when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel and the housing, said reverse circulating ports closing means including a bored portion of the upper mandrel sealingly telescopically receiving the portion of the lower mandrel containing the lower mandrel reverse circulating ports, whereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upward flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently said connate fluid ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

10. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore by a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at diiferent but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, said lower mandrel, between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, being closed to the upward flow of fluid therethrough, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in com munication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having reverse circulating ports formed in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of said housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in, the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement or" said lower mandrel to uncover such ports, when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, means slidably but non-rotatably connecting the lower mandrel and the housing, said reverse circulating port closing means including a bored portion of the upper mandrel sealinglytelescopically receiving the portion of the lower mandrel containing the lower mandrel reverse circulating ports, said slidably but non-rotatably connecting means 12 being releasable after the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel have been brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, spring means urging the housing downwardly relative to the mandrels, and means locking the upper mandrel against rotation relative to the housing and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, releasable upon downward movement of the upper mandrel relative to the housing to permit rotation of said upper mandrel relative to said housing and therefore relative to said lower mandrel, whereby when the housing is held against rotation and said upper mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upward flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently said connate fluid ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

11. A tool of the class described, comprising an upper tubular mandrel and a lower tubular mandrel operatively threadedly connected together and adapted to be lowered into a well bore by a string of pipe, said lower mandrel having formed in the walls thereof at one level one or more reverse circulating ports, at a lower level one or more connate fluid ports, and between the reverse circulating ports and the connate fluid ports at different but adjacent levels a series of flow bean ports, wherein said flow bean ports increase in size from the lowermost to the uppermost, said lower mandrel, between the flow bean ports and the connate fluid ports, being closed to the upward flow of fluid therethrough, a tubular housing carried by and slidably receiving the mandrels and closing the uppermost and at least some of the lower flow bean ports, and having a recess within which the connate fluid ports are exposed and within which at least the lowermost flow bean ports are exposed to be in communication with the connate fluid ports, said housing sealingly engaging the lower mandrel at a place spaced below the connate fluid ports a distance exceeding the spacing of the uppermost flow bean ports above said recess, said housing having reverse circulating ports formed in the walls thereof initially spaced below the reverse circulating ports in the mandrel a distance exceeding the spacing of the connate fluid ports above the place of sealing engagement of said housing below said connate fluid ports, means closing the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel responsive to downward movement of said lower mandrel to uncover such ports, when such ports are brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, means slidably but nonrotatably connecting the lower mandrel and the housing, said reverse circulating port closing means including a bored portion of the upper mandrel sealingly telescopically receiving the portion of the lower mandrel containing the lower mandrel reverse circulating ports, said slidably but non-rotatably connecting means being releasable after the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel have been brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing, spring means urging the housing downwardly relative to the mandrels, and means locking the upper mandrel against rotation relative to the housing and therefore relative to the lower mandrel, releasable upon downward movement of mandrel is rotated, the covered flow bean ports 10 will be progressively exposed within the recess and hence progressively brought into communication with the connate fluid ports to allow an increased upward flow of connate fluid through the mandrels, and subsequently said connate fluid 5 14 ports will be closed, and still subsequently the reverse circulating ports in the lower mandrel will be brought into registry with the reverse circulating ports in the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,196,488 Johnston et a1 Jan. 9, 1940 2,582,718 Ragland Jan. 15, 1952 2,637,400 Brown et a1. May 5, 1953 2,655,217 Bagnall Oct. 13, 1953 2,661,802 Johnston Dec. 8, 1953 

